For many years, Robin Béquet made caramel for her friends and family in Bozeman. Despite high praise for every batch, the caramel remained just a hobby–until the telecom crash of 2001, when her 25-year career in technology ended unexpectedly. Robin was only interested in basing a business on her treats if she could create the most delicious caramel available. She conducted blind taste tests with her recipe against artisan caramels around the country and found that 17 out of 18 adults preferred Béquet Caramel. In December of 2001, Robin launched Béquet Confections. She drove to local gourmet markets to introduce the caramels. Soon, stores started calling to place orders. Since then, Béquet Caramel has won seven national awards, and is carried in stores and natural food markets all across the nation.
Plans to expand the current 11,000 square foot factory to 20,000 square feet in Bozeman are underway. Still, each batch of caramel is made as a delicacy: hand-inspected, using only the finest ingredients, and delivering the most exquisite flavor without using artificial flavors or preservatives. From the beginning, Robin appreciated the response she received from the Bozeman community. So many individuals, businesses, and organizations went out of their way to help Béquet Confections succeed. The company ships 90% of its product outside of Montana, yet Robin feels certain that her business might not have seen such success had she started it anywhere else. Originally from New York, Robin was inspired and delighted by the Montana culture of willingness to help one another. In turn, Béquet Confections gives back to the community at every opportunity, including strong and consistent support for the Gallatin County Food Bank and the Greater Gallatin United Way. Béquet Confections is proud to be a part of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Manufacturing Association. The company looks forward to continue getting its award-winning gourmet caramel in the hands of as many Montana neighbors as possible, and is excited to keep contributing to creating an innovative and prosperous Montana. The Montana Manufacturing Association will meet Thursday, January 14th at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel.
This meeting immediately follows the conclusion of “Business Days at the Capitol” there, January 13th and 14th. For more information on that event, go to events.montanachamber.com/?ee=121. The Montana Manufacturing Association meeting will begin at 1:30pm and conclude no later than 4:30pm. Governor Bullock, his staff in charge of his Manufacturing “Key Industry Network” (KIN), and the three co-chairs of that KIN have been asked to speak. The Association meeting will also include ongoing discussion of workforce solutions for manufacturing, as well as details of the upcoming Manufacturing & International Trade Day, May 2nd in Missoula, Manufacturing Summit (June 7th-8th, DC), National Mfg Day (Oct. 7th), and Compete Smart (Oct. 6th-7th, Fairmont), There is no charge to attend the Manufacturing Association meeting, although registration is requested. More information and registration will be available soon. •